Lynn's crazy idea of a "supervillain" shattered the preconceived notions of the "hero business" held by all the executives present.
They are used to producing glamorous and attractive products.
I'm used to calculating input-output ratios.
They were used to reaping fame and fortune within their safe zones.
But Lynn wants them to create a "monster" capable of destroying everything.
"Apart from the villains..."
Lynn broke the silence, his voice regaining its usual calm.
The speaker who seemed to exude a dangerous aura just now appeared to be merely an illusion.
"I also need an academy."
He looked around at everyone and continued, "An academy that belongs only to Vought. It's specifically for teenagers who have just awakened and are feeling lost about their future."
"While Dr. Hannibal's personality reshaping program is highly effective, it is too costly and only suitable for a select few. What we need is large-scale, industrialized implementation."
"We need to start with a blank canvas and draw the heroes this world wants. From values and codes of conduct to loyalty to Vought."
Everyone present could understand this suggestion.
Compared to that vague "supervillain," this "hero academy" plan sounds more like a sure-fire way to make money.
Everyone nodded in agreement, and the atmosphere became lively again.
The meeting ended, and the executives filed out.
Everyone's face was filled with anticipation for the new plan.
Lynn returned to his office, sat down, and began to ponder, fiddling with his pen.
Current technologies and networks are ultimately too outdated.
Many grander ideas are limited by the technological level of this era and cannot be realized.
Even these so-called "villains" don't feel intimidating at all.
Robbing a convenience store, gang fighting...
This level of trouble is something even a well-equipped police officer could handle, let alone Vought's heroes.
The audience will get tired of it sooner or later.
However, Lynn was not in a hurry.
You have to eat one bite at a time, and walk one step at a time.
He has plenty of time to enjoy himself in this world.
The phone on the table rang. Motoko Kusanagi answered it, said a few words, and then handed the receiver to Lynn.
"Boss, it's Howard Stark on the phone."
" Lynn! My old friend! Are you free tonight? Come over for dinner! Maria made your favorite Wellington steak!"
Howard Stark's distinctive voice came from the other end of the phone.
"Of course, it would be my pleasure."
Lynn smiled and agreed.
After hanging up the phone, Lynn looked at Motoko Kusanagi, who was waiting for his instructions, and said, "Let's go together tonight."
"Okay, boss."
At night, the Stark family villa was brightly lit.
Motoko Kusanagi drove a low-key black sedan and smoothly parked it at the entrance.
Howard Stark, dressed in casual loungewear, gave Lynn a warm hug.
" Tony! Come here quickly and say hello to your godfather!"
Howard called out into the house.
A young man with messy hair, wearing a T-shirt with the band's logo, walked over reluctantly.
He had the same intelligent brown eyes as Howard, but with a hint of the untamed arrogance unique to geniuses.
"We're already so familiar with each other, let's not do this, okay?"
After muttering those words to himself, Tony saw the look in his father's eyes and ultimately gave in.
Tony, who met Lynn several times a year, looked his godfather up and down.
If his memory serves him correctly, his godfather's appearance has never changed since he can remember.
They even look about the same age as me.
I turned to look at my dad. Hmm, he's too old.
Lynn heard Tony's Goose and smiled, completely ignoring the kid's thoughts.
" Howard, I remember you told me that your son, a genius who got into Massachusetts Institute of Technology at fifteen, was still..."
He deliberately dragged out the sound, successfully making Tony's unruly face turn bright red.
"Stop talking!"
Tony felt like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. He hurriedly hissed, but his eyes involuntarily drifted to the woman behind Lynn, who was wearing a well-fitting suit and had short, neat purple hair.
Motoko Kusanagi.
From the moment he first saw her when he was ten years old, this woman became Tony Stark's only dream throughout his adolescence.
She is intelligent, strong, and calm.
There is a sense of mystery about him that transcends his age.
No matter how tricky or bizarre the physics questions he posed, she could always give the most accurate answers.
For a young genius who sees intelligence as the ultimate measure of sex appeal, this is nothing short of deadly poison.
Howard saw right through his son's little scheme, and with a mischievous grin, he put his arm around Lynn's shoulder.
"Ignore him, that kid's got an excess of hormones lately."
"But you, Lynn, honestly, where did you find someone as talented as Motoko? She's the smartest woman I've ever met, bar none."
Lynn picked up the champagne that Maria handed him and casually recounted a trivial old story.
"Hmm... It was 1943, in a small town in Europe. The war had burned everything down. When I found her, she was dying and remembered nothing but her own name."
Howard's smile faded slightly, and he looked somewhat surprised.
Amnesia? Then her body... was she also injected with the serum?
After all, it is illogical that Motoko Kusanagi's appearance has not changed at all over the decades.
Who knows?
Lynn shrugged, lightly changing the subject.
"This is what she looked like when I found her."
The atmosphere at the dinner was very lively.
Besides the Stark family of three, Lynn, Motoko Kusanagi, and another business partner and friend of Howard, Obadiah Stan, were also present.
He was bald, had a long beard, and looked very kind.
Amidst the clinking of glasses and a few drinks, Tony grew bolder.
He held his wine glass and walked up to Motoko Kusanagi, who had been eating quietly the whole time, his cheeks slightly flushed.
" Motoko... would you... would you like to... go on a date with me?"
His voice wasn't loud, but everyone present was shrewd and intelligent.
All eyes were on them.
Motoko Kusanagi put down her knife and fork, wiped her mouth with a napkin, and then looked up at Tony with her emotionless eyes.
Those eyes had already calculated Tony's heart rate, blood pressure changes, and adrenaline levels the moment he opened his mouth.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Stark. This service is not covered in my employment contract."
Tony's face, visibly flushed, quickly turned from slightly red to embarrassed.
After the dinner, Obadiah took his leave first.
Lynn looked at his dejected godson, who looked like a defeated rooster, and finally took pity on him.
He walked over to Tony and patted him on the shoulder.
" Tony, take Motoko to see your little invention."
Lynn's words made Tony's eyes light up.
"A woman won't fall in love with a guy who only knows how to make witty remarks, but no one can resist a mind that can create the future."
These words were like a shot in the arm, healing Tony's broken heart.
yes!
She rejected me simply because she didn't know me well enough!
If I show her how sexy my brain is, she'll definitely change her mind!
Tony instantly recovered, straightened his clothes, and extended an invitation to Motoko Kusanagi with feigned composure.
"Ahem, Motoko, would you be interested in visiting my lab? There are some things inside that I think will give you a new perspective on the world."
Motoko Kusanagi looked at Lynn, and after receiving a nod, she nodded.
"It's my pleasure, Mr. Stark."
Lynn smiled as he watched Tony lead the figure that haunted his dreams toward the door leading to his secret kingdom.
Let the world's top cybernetic and bio-engineered humans visit the most cutting-edge mechanical and electronic laboratories of this era.
This is much more interesting than Wellington steak.